Leave Winter NAMM alone: an argument against a "public day".(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)

I READ WITH interest Scott Goodman's suggestions on "How To Improve Winter NAMM." (Letters section, July). He makes some interesting points, but from our standpoint, a public day simply wouldn't work.

At every NAMM Show one of our biggest problems is theft, not from dealers but from the multitudes of the public who are able to get into the exhibit hall--and this is without even having an official public day. Our products look like catalogs. Everyone is walking around with bags supplied by the exhibitors. It's simple for visitors to walk into our booth and, when no one is looking, slip their favorite book into their bag. We have to bring additional copies of "hot" products to replace those that have disappeared.

For the fun of it, I've left the show with a bag full of our books, opened it for the people inspecting bags and was given the go-ahead to leave without a single question. I don't blame those people or NAMM. It's just the way it is. Imagine a "Public Day." We'd either have to shut down for the last day or hire security. I'd assume our fellow publishers and small goods exhibitors might have the same view. I've been to many Frankfurt Fairs and most publishers and small goods exhibitors do not like the "Public Day" concept for the reasons cited. Most of the executives and salespeople leave the Frankfurt Fair that day and leave behind a skeleton crew to deal with the throngs.

It's a bit difficult to stash a piano, guitar, or 16-track recorder in a bag. If it weren't, many other exhibitors might have a different view of a "Public Day," "Educator Day," or "Student Day."

If we have no Sunday NAMM, I believe Saturday will replace Sunday and be a slower day. It is what it is, so let's let it be.

Keith Mardak

CEO & Chairman

Hal Leonard Corporation

Milwaukee, WI

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